Long-term side effects of pelvic radiation - 6 months after treatment

Posted by dlgbb @dlgbb, Nov 2 9:34am

Hello! Has anybody else had long-lasting side effects after pelvic radiation? I completed 25 external beam radiation treatments last March/April, and while I certainly feel much better than I did at the time of treatment, effects still linger. I have free fluid on both sides of my pelvis that bulge (sometimes the entire area will be puffy and bulging, then the right side and middle will decrease and leave just the left side puffy). For lack of a better description, my pelvis, at times, feels “buzzy”. My energy is so much better than it was, but is still not back to what was my normal. My stamina still has not returned fully, and I still experience digestive issues off and on. At this point I am not sure if this is permanent, or if it will go away. I have follow ups every 3 months, at which I am asked about pain, fatigue, etc. and have a pelvic exam. To this point, though, they have been in the early days following treatment. My next checkup will be in January. I am finding that I am actually a little bluer now mentally than I was at the time of my surgery and radiation. I’m not sure if it is just coming down from the whole experience, or fear of a recurrence (my prognosis is good - stage 1A grade 3 endometrioid adenocarcinoma with POLe mutation). I’m just not sure why the last little while feels like a step backwards, physically and mentally.

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Yes, I have a long-lasting effect from pelvic radiation. The external beam radiation - daily for several weeks-was for anal cancer. It left me with absolute vaginal stenosis. I did not know that I was supposed to use those dilators to prevent that. In fact when I questioned a nurse about the effects of radiation to the vagina she said there wouldn't be any. Hmm.
So, my advice is to make every effort to prevent stenosis. The condition affects gynecological exams and, in the event you need a hysterectomy, it presents a significant challenge to the surgeon using laparoscopy.

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@greatgrandma2025
Please let me know what you decide. A very wise friend has pointed out to me, too, that after the emotional and physical trauma of cancer, it is our tendency to attribute any new symptoms to either a recurrence or to the treatments we have received, which may or may not be accurate. I will know more after some follow up this week, and my symptoms could be totally unrelated. We just do the best we can, day by day. Best wishes to you.

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@dlgbb The same to you and I will post after my next appointment. The holidays will help to take our minds off the future and enjoy the present.

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